A new journey in the unknown

While scrutinizing the relics, Adrian noticed a subtle distinction in one of them.

The compass, which had once shown unpredictable needle fluctuations, now steadfastly points in a singular direction. Adrian, with a fixed gaze on Emilie, couldn't help but notice her raised eyebrows, which prompted her to ask a question.

"This compass was unreliable previously. It's called the compass of findings, and I believe Alaya had intentions to employ it for dream realm exploration too. While I'm uncertain about her exact entry method, given her peculiar knack for stealth, it's safe to assume she had a well-thought-out plan," Adrian explained with a tinge of bitterness when referring to Alaya.

Adrian's life teetered on the edge of danger twice in a single night, all due to Alaya's lack of information. First, the enigmatic red door and lantern, and then the encounter with the mysterious man in white.

As he reminisced about that fateful night, his thoughts shifted to the guiding gaze that had somehow come to his rescue. And true to form, that ever-reliable gaze was still there.

This revelation brought a newfound sense of calm to him. Previously, he had been uncertain about the nature of the gaze and its intentions. But now he understood that it belonged to an otherworldly beauty who chose to grace him with her attention throughout the day, even within the dream realm.

The fact that she had come to his aid, even after he had made a pact with her, provided him with a deep sense of reassurance.

"She wouldn't let someone die who belongs to her, would she?" With no response from his contemplations, Adrian ceased dwelling on fruitless musings and shifted his focus to the compass's guiding direction, visible through the window.

"What do you think, Emilie? Should we heed the call of our inner adventurers or simply remain here indefinitely?" Adrian inquired, taking a deep, dramatic sniff, emulating the actions of the scouts and adventurers he'd seen on television.

"Ours? It's solely your decision, Adrian. I'm just eager to return home and indulge in some chips," replied Emilie with an expressionless countenance.

Upon hearing Emilie's response, Adrian couldn't help but offer a faint smile, her words lifting his spirits. For days, he had struggled to find peace of mind, but Emilie's presence and support had been a comforting constant.

"That's the best shot we've got. Perhaps this journey will lead us to a place far better than staying put and doing nothing," Adrian replied, his determination growing stronger.

Comprehending Adrian's perspective, Emilie nodded in agreement, fully aware that he was onto something. And so, a new chapter in the story of two adventurers in a world brimming with mysteries and uncharted territories began—or perhaps not.

Emilie, ever practical, broke the moment of contemplation. "What should we do about that creature outside?" she inquired, as she knew Adrian had temporarily forgotten about it in his excitement about exploring this uncharted horizon.

Adrian cleared his throat and wore a contemplative, serious expression. Without uttering a word to Emilie, he ventured outside and found the creature sitting peacefully with its eyes closed, basking in the warmth of the sun.

"It's truly savoring life to the fullest," Adrian thought to himself, a touch of vexation creeping in. The creature's presence had confined him and Emilie indoors for five consecutive days, a situation that was becoming increasingly frustrating.

"Okay buddy, nothing personal against you but i think its about time we say our goodbyes."

As some sound reached the creature, it reluctantly opened its eye and fixed its gaze on Adrian. A tense staredown unfolded between them, lasting for several minutes, leaving Emilie speechless as she observed the bizarre encounter from the safety of the window.

Adrian retrieved his stovepipe hat and donned it. Almost immediately, his body began to take on an ethereal quality, his skin turning ashen gray. Sorrow washed over him, and tears welled up uncontrollably in his eyes.

Amidst this emotional turmoil, with tears streaming down his face, Adrian directed his aura outward, exuding an aura of intense coldness while maintaining his ghostly form.

With theatrical flair and an air of remorse, Adrian said, "I'm sorry, young one," as he unleashed his aura. Utilizing the same technique he had employed in the previous encounters with the creature, he directed his aura toward it. The creature, familiar with this recurring move, remained still, confident in its safety. However, this time was different.

The intense beam of aura struck the creature, instantly freezing it into a sculpture of ice. Adrian had no intention of waiting to see if it would break free and promptly signaled Emilie to come down. Their window of opportunity had arrived, and it was time to escape.

Emilie descended and found Adrian in his physical form, ready for action. Without wasting any time, he scooped her up, and they began running in the direction that the compass had indicated—west. Their escape was now underway.

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Oswyn was eager for answers and turned to a man in a white suit, inquiring, "Did you find any information about them?" Their investigation had revealed that three relics were missing, and the absence of the key made sense, given Oswyn's suspicion that the intruders were likely searching for it.

The loss of the other two relics struck Oswyn as rather peculiar, especially since the hat and compass held little significance for the intruder. It occurred to him that the purpose of the hat might not have been the man's doing after all. Something more intricate was at play.

'Was it just a coincidence that the thief thought of taking away the key?'

As Oswyn pondered the possible motives behind the incident, a sensation of something being amiss suddenly washed over him.

Oswyn voiced his confusion, asking, "Why didn't the alarm trigger if he was a core bearer?" The fact that a core bearer had entered and exited without setting off any alarms was a perplexing and concerning aspect of the situation.

"The security system is functioning correctly. We've even tested it by bringing in people to check. So, I'm not entirely sure how the culprit managed to bypass it. We're still investigating," the man explained, trying to avoid provoking Oswyn's anger.

Finding no satisfactory answers from the ongoing investigation, Oswyn dismissed the man.

As he contemplated the situation, he couldn't help but wonder, 'If he wasn't a core bearer, how did he possess such a powerful aura? Who was he?'

This question continued to occupy his thoughts, leaving him with more questions than answers.